For some time, the common refrain has been that Jason Kenney would be the person to beat in a Conservative leadership race — whenever Harper does decide to step aside.

From 2009 to 2011, as immigration minister, Kenney criss-crossed the country with the sole purpose of wooing visible minority voters over to the Tory tent. Conveniently, he did a great job wooing the demographic for himself; he's achieved rock-star status within ethnic communities across the country.

It's widely believed that the ethnic support gives him a significant leg up against all other potential leadership rivals.

But as the Forum survey suggests, MacKay's popularity runs deep with the Conservative Party base and, if at some point he chooses to run for the leadership, he should also be considered a frontrunner.

Talk about MacKay residing at 24 Sussex isn't really new; he has long been viewed as prime minister material. But over the past couple of years, his stock has dropped substantially after a series of gaffes and blunders as defence minister.

He was forced to defend himself over a 10 minute trip on a search-and-rescue helicopter in July 2010. The helicopter picked up MacKay from his personal fishing trip in central Newfoundland at a cost to taxpayers of $32,000.

In 2011, reports surfaced that MacKay incurred pricey hotel tabs during conference stays in Europe, which saw one bill reach $1,452 per night.

He was also blamed for the F-35 boondoggle and other military procurement nightmares.

Now, as justice minister, it seems that MacKay's reputation is on the mend.